Hi! This is Rachel Malay, director at the Port Library in Beloit. The library purchased some new DVDs and they’ve recently become available for check out.

How many of my readers remember the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show? In addition to the regular cartoon featuring that famous moose and squirrel, each episode had a featured section, such as Dudley Do-Right or Peabody’s Improbable History. The show continues to be quite popular, over 50 years later, and the Mr. Peabody section is becoming a short film, to be released later this year. However, my favorite featured cartoon was always the Fractured Fairy Tales spot. Well known fairy tales are given a fun twist, such as Snow White meets Rapunzel, and Little Fred Riding Hood. There are also original stories, such as The Boy Who Couldn't Shudder and The Mysterious Castle.

A DVD collection was recently released containing just the the fairy tales. Each episode is about five to six minutes long and this set comes with two discs containing 91 episodes. There are enough fairy tales for a full day of viewing! The original cartoon ran from 1959 – 1964 and the animations are definitely from the period. Still, if you’re a grandparent who wants to share part of the past with your grandkids try this out next time you get together. These short entertainments can provide welcome relief to any modern cartoon that’s become annoying. Fractured Fairy Tales may be considered “vintage,” but the jokes and gags are still fresh and funny.

Our DVDs circulate a week at a time, and don’t forget we now have a media slot next to our after-hours book drop. So, if the library is closed you can avoid any late fees by returning DVDs, CDs and videocassettes in the media slot.You can get the DVD reviewed here and more great titles to watch, read, listen to, or play with at the Port Library at 1718 N. Hersey in Beloit, on the North Campus.